Tom Nicol Photography - Geneva, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Award - 2012

2012-01-17T19:52:00.004-06:00

I am so pleased to be awarded the Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Award for 2012 and even more am thankful to everyone who took time to offer their words on my behalf. I am humbled by your kindness and grateful for your support.

The WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards ™ recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ are awarded solely based on the reviews from over 1.2 million newlyweds. Awards are determined by a combination of four factors: Overall rating (quality), total number of reviews (quantity), review performance from 2011 (recency), and consistency of reviews from year to year (consistency). This year's recipients represent the top 5% of WeddingWire's vendor community, across all service categories and all regions throughout the US and Canada.

Jeana and Ryan - December 31, 2011

2011-12-31T10:38:00.027-06:00

When I met Jeana and Ryan for engagement pictures in July it was hot, hot, hot, and sunny. Their wedding day was kind of the opposite, but still no snow. The bridal party looked awesome in black and fuchsia, Jeana was gorgeous as always. Ryan is a lucky guy! They're both big snowmobile fans and I'm sure hoped for a little snow for their post-wedding getaway. I hope they found it somewhere. In any case, check out the cake topper, custom made by Jeana's mom. Jeana is the third daughter of a good friend from high school. I've photographed all their weddings (here and here) over the last few years so it was like being with old friends again. We had a great time. What better way to celebrate New Year's Eve. The bagpiper was an added bonus - loved that part.

Jennifer and Mike - December 3, 2011

2011-12-03T10:02:00.020-06:00

I'm sure when Jennifer and Mike planned their December wedding they hoped for snow. We even talked about it during their engagement session in October. Well, in this strange winter of 2011, there was no snow to be found. In fact it was almost warm, the grass was still green...crazy. I was more worried about rain! No matter, it was a great day for their wedding. The two of them were just beautiful together, their families and friends were awesome. And as always Chapel in the Pines did not disappoint. We had a wonderful time in spite of no snow!

Kassandra and Mathew - October 22, 2011

2011-10-22T23:03:00.013-05:00

Kassandra and Mathew were married at the Dunham Woods Riding Club in Wayne on a beautiful fall day. This was the first I'd been there and I was really impressed. What a cool place - a throwback to ages past and elegant at the same time - really nice. I'd just seen them a couple weeks before for their engagement pictures and it was great to see them again. There's just something about them both that I like very much. It was great to be a part of their day.

Valerie and Jay - October 8, 2011

2011-10-08T20:01:00.030-05:00

I felt a real connection with Valerie and Jay in our first meeting last spring, during their engagement session, and especially on their wedding day. Their families and friends are awesome, and not just because of the cake pops Valerie's mother made! Chapel in the Pines was the perfect setting for their October wedding. The air was clear and cool and the trees were just beautiful. My kind of day. It was certainly the first time I'd heard hunting and fishing-themed wedding vows - no kidding. I wish I'd had a tape recorder!

Jennifer and Mike - Engagement - October 4, 2011

2011-10-04T09:44:00.011-05:00

Jennifer and Mike are planning a December wedding so wanted a few fall pictures to remember the buildup to the wedding. We met on a beautiful late October afternoon at the Leroy Oaks Forest Preserve in Saint Charles. The setting sun made for perfect light. I'm really looking forward to their December wedding. With any luck we'll even have snow!

Kassandra and Mathew - Engagement - October 2, 2011

2011-10-02T20:57:00.004-05:00

Kassandra, Mathew, and I got together in the gardens right next to the Art Institute, downtown Chicago for a few engagement pictures ahead of their wedding in a couple weeks. We had a great time in spite of my worrying about Bears game day crowds. They're a great couple and I'm really looking forward to seeing them again soon.

Karen and Jim - October 1, 2011

2011-10-01T09:19:00.011-05:00

Karen and Jim's is a great story. Karen is from the Chicago area and Jim from Maryland. They met while each was on business in California. Their long-distance relationship obviously became something more. Their wedding was on a gorgeous fall day at Chapel in the Pines in Sycamore. It started a little chilly, but they still had the ceremony outdoors - what a beautiful setting. Their reception was at the Acquaviva Winery in Maple Park. If you haven't been there, put it on your to-do list. It's an awesome place.

Jessica and Adam - September 30, 2011

2011-09-30T23:32:00.009-05:00

Jessica and Adam got married in a beautiful little church in Virgil on a spectacular September day. Adam is a firefighter in a Chicago suburb and they even rolled out a fire engine for the occasion. It was really cool. These two are just awesome together and the love and friendship they show toward one another is really wonderful, clear from the minute I met them last winter, during their engagement session in June, and especially on their wedding day. I really loved being part of it all and grateful they entrusted their pictures to me.

Chrissy and Eric - September 17, 2011

2011-09-17T09:12:00.013-05:00

When we met for the engagement session last May we were afraid of getting rained out, but for their wedding day, Chrissy and Eric got a gorgeous warm, bluebird-sky late summer day. The wedding was officiated by Eric's father and was just beautiful. We stopped off at Leroy Oaks Forest Preserve in Saint Charles on the way to the reception and had a great time, really a great group of friends. Finally, as always Eaglebrook Country Club did an outstanding job with their reception. It was a great day.

Lindsey and Steve - September 10, 2011

2011-09-10T08:25:00.022-05:00

Lindsey and Steve had a picture perfect wedding day in September at Chapel in the Pines in Sycamore. From Lindsey's carriage ride to the chapel to the gorgeous sunset, it was beautiful. These two are awesome and have such fun together. It was one of those days you just hate to see end.

Kristin and Jim - September 9, 2011

2011-09-09T11:36:00.005-05:00

Kristin and Jim are both huge, huge Chicago Blackhawks fans so naturally their wedding was Blackhawks themed all the way, from the red and black coverings in the dining room to the hockey stick cake cutter - no kidding. It was awesome. I remember one day looking at Blackhawks jerseys and walking away when I saw the price tag. Well, I felt like a real cheapskate looking around this reception! You never saw that many jerseys outside of the United Center! Kristin and Jim are great. We clicked from our first meeting to their engagement right on through their wedding. I love following their antics on Facebook. They'll have a beautiful life together.

Laura and Josh - September 3, 2011

2011-09-03T11:05:00.003-05:00

Laura and Josh were married in the Japanese Garden at Fabyan Park in Geneva. It threatened rain most of the morning, but by the time of the ceremony the sun came out and it was beautiful - HOT, but beautiful! If you haven't been to the Japanese Garden, check it out some time. It's a beautiful backdrop for a small, intimate ceremony like Laura and Josh's or whatever you have in mind.

Min Young and Justin - August 24, 2011

2011-08-24T10:41:00.022-05:00

Min Young and Justin are both teachers in Korea which is where they met and traveled back to Justin's home for their wedding in August. They had a beautiful late afternoon ceremony at Chapel in the Pines with just a few family and friends including Min Young's sister who traveled with them. I was sorry our time together was so short.

Kelly and Nathan - August 13, 2011

2011-08-13T17:55:00.003-05:00

Kelly and Nathan had a beautiful day under ominous skies. We started at the Country Inn and Suites in Geneva then headed to the Riverwalk in Batavia. We hoped all morning for good weather, but no sooner did we get one group picture than the rain started - not hard, but enough to have everyone running for cover. With this group though, nothing could dampen their fun. We had a great time under the gazebo at the Riverwalk, then indoors at the Fox Valley Country Club. Both really beautiful places, no matter the weather.

Lindsey and Andrew - July 30, 2011

2011-07-30T23:01:00.003-05:00

Lindsey and Andrew planned their surprise wedding for the end of July at Meson Sabika in Naperville. Only a few people knew what they had in mind. The idea was to invite people to their "proposal" party then to spring the actual wedding on them after they arrived. Quite a trick. I won't say it wasn't without a few anxious moments, but in the end it worked out beautifully. Lindsey and Andrew, their families and friends were awesome. It was a lot of fun.

Jennifer and Rolando - July 23, 2011

2011-07-23T20:11:00.005-05:00

Jennifer and Rolando have been together 14 years, with a beautiful family. They chose Pinstripes in South Barrington for their wedding - really a cool place. If you haven't been there, give it a try some night (the food was awesome). Flowers and the runner were by Artistic Floral Designs - just beautiful. Like practically half the summer the day was brutally hot, but fortunately the ceremony and reception were both inside. Everybody had a great time. The performance by Aloha Chicago was really something to see. I felt privileged to be part of their day.

Lori and Dayne - June 9, 2011

2011-06-09T20:54:00.003-05:00

Lori and Dayne got married at the Chapel in the Pines in Sycamore. The weather cooperated for an outdoor ceremony that was just beautiful. Lori's dad made a sign to commemorate the event that was really cool. Their families and friends were great. I felt privileged to be part of their day.

Jessica and Adam - Engagement - June 5, 2011

2011-06-05T20:42:00.001-05:00

I got together with Jessica and Adam at the Japanese Garden at Fabyan Park in Geneva. It was a spectacular afternoon. They thought about planning a stop there between their wedding and reception in September, but it's not really on the way so decided to just do their engagement session there. We got lucky, the garden was even open! These two are awesome together. Have a look for yourself.

Lindsey and Steve - Engagement - May 22, 2011

2011-05-22T11:14:00.007-05:00

I met Lindsey and Steve at Lilacia Park in Lombard for a few engagement pictures ahead of their wedding in September. They're both huge White Sox fan as you can see. We had a little bit of every kind of weather in the short time we were together and right in the middle were treated to a little hail storm...we all took cover under a tree. We had a great time. I'm really looking forward to seeing them again in September.

Amy Lynn and Morgan - May 21, 2011

2011-05-21T12:46:00.006-05:00

Riverside Receptions in full bloom - Geneva, IL - May 7, 2011

2011-05-07T21:39:00.009-05:00

Riverside Receptions in Geneva is an awesome place for a wedding, reception or both. No matter the season, it's always beautiful inside and out. Tina from Riverside hinted that if I just happened to be out with my camera that their tulips were at their peak. So I took the hint Saturday morning and here's the result. She was right, they were gorgeous. (The "Lincoln Highway" sign isn't at Riverside, but I stopped there on the way.) Enjoy...

Chrissy and Eric - Engagement - May 7, 2011

2011-05-07T19:02:00.002-05:00

Chrissy and Eric are getting married in September. We got together at Island Park in Geneva for a few engagement pictures. It threatened rain early, but turned out pretty Ok - a little gray, but nice. Their wedding's gonna be great. I'm looking forward to it a lot.

Debbie and Herb - April 9, 2011

2011-04-09T08:27:00.006-05:00

I met Debbie and Herb just before Christmas last year and we connected right away. It's great when that happens, it makes everything from then on so much more fun. Their wedding day dawned foggy, but nice and became one of the first really nice spring days we've had. We had a blast. Debbie and Herb just enjoy each other so much, it's great to watch and to be part of.

Caroline and Mark - March 26, 2011

2011-03-26T21:45:00.009-05:00

I met Caroline and Mark just a little over a week before their wedding and enjoyed visiting with them right from the start. I was thrilled that they entrusted their pictures to me. They got a beautiful day - a little too chilly to be outside much - but nice nonetheless. Everything was spectacular, Caroline was gorgeous, it was great to be part of their day.

Anna and Trent - March 19, 2011

2011-03-19T09:31:00.003-05:00

Anna and Trent had a gorgeous day for their wedding. It was a little chilly for a couple days before the official start of spring, but the sky was blue and it was great to see the sun for a change.

Theresa and Matt - February 26, 2011

2011-02-26T21:04:00.003-06:00

Theresa and Matt were married in the Kaneville United Methodist Church on a cold and snowy February afternoon. Theresa even wore her mother's wedding dress, so cool. When we first met last fall, they were planning a March wedding, but for lots of reasons, planned a smaller ceremony and reception a little earlier. Have a look at their engagement pictures from October here.

Blizzard 2011 - February 1-2...

2011-02-02T14:48:00.003-06:00

A look back at 2010...

2011-01-08T13:18:00.002-06:00

Winter weddings are beautiful, but I have to admit that about now, in Illinois, I start wishing for spring - and winter's only just begun! Anyway, I took advantage of a stay-inside-kind-of-day to take a look back at weddings and engagements from 2010. Congratulations to all.

Tractricious by the light of the moon - November 18, 2010

2010-11-18T15:03:00.013-06:00

I started out years ago trying different kinds of photography, bouncing balls, breaking glass, bullets fired from guns, stuff like that, but one of my favorite things is taking pictures at night. Tractricious is one of several sculptures at Fermilab. As I drove through just before Thanksgiving I was greeted with this scene as the moon hung overhead and the light of the day faded in the east.

Ira and John - November 13, 2010

2010-11-13T18:38:00.007-06:00

Ira and John were married at Saint Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora - what a beautiful place. Theirs was a small, intimate ceremony with mostly family and a few friends and seemed like it was over before it started. It felt like we'd all just arrived and were leaving again. Not only that, but it's my last wedding of the year and that's always a little sad too. Our string of good November weather ran out on us this day. It was a little raw and pretty much conspired to keep us inside.

Jessica and Eric - November 7, 2010

2010-11-07T22:15:00.009-06:00

Jessica and Eric were married in a small, intimate ceremony and had a lunchtime reception at the Herrington Inn in Geneva. As our much-too-nice-to-ask-for-weather would have it, the 7th of November turned out to be beautiful, fitting for a beautiful couple and beautiful family. If you haven't been to the Herrington, stop by. If you haven't eaten at Atwater's, try it. You won't be disappointed.

My friend Jeff Petersen did the honors for Jessica and Eric. If you're looking for an officiant, give him a call. He's a great guy and performs a really nice service.

Jennifer and Greg - November 6, 2010

2010-11-06T21:46:00.005-05:00

I first met Jennifer and Greg almost two years ago and we hit it off right away so I was really glad to photograph their engagement earlier this summer and their wedding this fall. The were married at an beautiful church and mansion in Joliet called the Jacob Henry Mansion. The reception was in Morris at Jennifer's Garden. They're a great couple and we had a great day together. I wish them all the best.

Shauna and Steve - October 22, 2010

2010-10-22T23:07:00.006-05:00

Shauna and Steve were married on a spectacular October day at The Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. What a gorgeous day. Have a look at the video and their pictures, you'll see. They even let me drive around in a golf cart (that part was way too short!).

Third Tuesday Suppers First Anniversary - October 19, 2010

2010-10-19T21:34:00.002-05:00

Another awesome Third Tuesday Supper at the United Methodist Church of Geneva - the first anniversary of this unbelievable event! A sea if cupcakes, face painting, funny hats, great food, did I mention cupcakes? What's not to love...Check out Third Tuesday Suppers website for upcoming dates and menus and this page for pictures from previous suppers...

Theresa and Matt - Engagement - October 17, 2010

2010-10-17T18:18:00.003-05:00

Theresa and Matt are getting married next March in Kaneville. We took advantage of the great fall weather and got together at a friend of Theresa's farm just west of there in October. They're great together, great senses of humor, each of them. I'm really looking forward to their wedding.

Geneva Bride Mini-Event - October 10, 2010

2010-10-10T19:14:00.016-05:00

We enjoyed our Geneva Bride 10|10|10 event at Wildwood Restaurant in downtown Geneva. Take a look and see some of our members: Town and Country Gardens, Spare Wheels, Eagle Brook Country Club , Tom Nicol Photography, Invitations by Design, Inc. , Geneva Spice House, Music By Design, Ltd. and Veiled In Elegance. Brides joined us for appetizers and drinks while exploring what the many wedding venues and shops in Geneva have to offer.

Cynthia and Michael - October 9, 2010

2010-10-09T21:10:00.005-05:00

I met Cynthia at the Geneva Bride Wedding Walk last year and have been looking forward to her and Michael's wedding since then. They chose a great place in the Mill Creek Golf Club. The setting for the ceremony was beautiful, the setup for the reception was awesome too. To top it all off we had some of the most spectacular October weather we've had in years. It was a great day and I felt privileged to be part of it.

Calumet Glamour Workshop - September 18, 2010

2010-09-18T19:58:00.001-05:00

Last Saturday I had the chance to attend a workshop at Calumet Photo in Oak Brook that focused on glamour lighting and photography. It was a blast. I don't know about everyone else, but for me it was a new experience, but everyone was awesome. The day just flew by and left me looking forward to more like it in the future.

Kristin and Jim - Engagement - August 30, 2010

2010-08-30T20:22:00.003-05:00

I met Kristin and Jim just a couple weeks before the end of hockey season this spring. They let me know they're HUGE Blackhawks fans and even plan a Blackhawks theme for their wedding next fall. I wasn't surprised to see them bring their jerseys to their engagement session. They're a awesome pair, fun-loving, and just fun to be around. I can't wait for their wedding to see what they've got planned.

Lynne and Keith - August 14, 2010

2010-08-14T21:40:00.008-05:00

Lynne and Keith were married at Chapel in the Pines in Sycamore. They've added a reception hall at the chapel and this was their first event. They've done a really nice job converting part of an old barn into the hall. If you haven't taken a ride out there, stop by and have a look. The day was beautiful. Hot, but nice nonetheless. Keith wanted a few pictures to show their country roots. I love the picture with the old plow.

Karie and Dan - July 30, 2010

2010-07-30T14:35:00.004-05:00

Karie and Dan were married at the end of July at the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park. I can't believe it's been almost a year since we did engagement pictures at the Riverwalk in Naperville. Their wedding was beautiful, the day, Karie and Dan, the bridal party, everyone.

Jennifer and Greg - Engagement - July 11, 2010

2010-07-11T21:29:00.009-05:00

Jennifer and Greg are getting married in November so we took advantage of the good weather and got together at Island Park behind the Mill Race Inn in Geneva for their engagement pictures early in July. They really wanted pictures with this classic Ford Mustang - very cool car. They're a great couple and I'm really looking forward to their wedding.

Nicky and Brandon - June 26, 2010

2010-06-26T21:09:00.001-05:00

Nicky and Brandon were married at Klehm Arboretum in Rockford the last weekend in June. The outdoor ceremony was beautiful, hot, but beautiful. This was really a special place. The grounds were spectacular with lots of nice settings for pictures and the visitor's center made a great place for the reception. Nicky and Brandon were left high and dry by their original photographer and called me close to the last minute. I am so glad they did and more glad still that we had the chance to work together.

Kristin and Dan - June 25, 2010

2010-06-25T19:20:00.002-05:00

Kristin and Dan were married at The Seville in Streamwood. It's hard to believe it's been over a year since we met in Chicago for their engagement pictures. Their wedding and reception were awesome. Everyone had so much fun. It's the first time I've seen a photo booth setup at a reception. It was a huge success. Special thanks to Erica and Artiz Photography for her work on the guy's pictures. She did a great job.

Sue and Ron - June 10, 2010

2010-06-19T18:39:00.009-05:00

Sue and Ron were married at The Herrington Inn in Geneva on a spectacular June day. We took their engagement pictures right across the Fox River at Island Park in May. Theirs was a beautiful day and I felt privileged to be part of it. They took advantage of many of the offerings of Geneva Bride. In addition to The Herrington Inn, all their flowers and the canopy for the ceremony were provided by Elizabeth Wray Design, invitations were created by Invitations by Design, and music at the reception was from Music By Design.